Kesko’s interim report 1 Jan. – 31 March 2024: A good result in a challenging market

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN BRIEF:                           

1-3/2024

• Group net sales in January-March totalled €2,759.5 million (€2,828.0 million); reported net sales were down by 2.4%, comparable net sales by 5.5%
• Comparable operating profit totalled €99.5 million (€125.9 million)
• Operating profit totalled €97.2 million (€122.6 million)
• Cash flow from operating activities totalled €112.6 million (€27.0 million)
• Comparable earnings per share €0.16 (€0.22); reported earnings per share €0.15 (€0.21)

 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

In this interim report, the comparable change % in net sales has been calculated in local currencies and excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestments completed in 2023 and 2024. The comparable operating profit has been calculated by deducting items affecting comparability from the reported operating profit.

OUTLOOK AND GUIDANCE FOR 2024 (SPECIFIED)

Kesko Group’s profit guidance is given for the year 2024, in comparison with the year 2023. Kesko’s operating environment is estimated to remain challenging in 2024. Kesko’s net sales and operating profit are estimated to remain at a good level in 2024 despite the challenges in the company’s operating environment. Kesko estimates that its comparable operating profit in 2024 will amount to €620–700 million. Previously, the comparable operating profit was estimated to amount to €620-720 million. The operating profit guidance adjustment is related to the weaker-than-anticipated outlook for construction in 2024.

The profit guidance is based on an estimate of a relatively short recession in Kesko’s operating countries. Key uncertainties impacting Kesko’s outlook are developments in inflation and interest rate levels, and geopolitical crises and tensions.

In grocery trade, B2C trade and the foodservice market are expected to remain stable despite tightened price competition, and inflation is expected to slow down in 2024. Profitability in grocery trade is estimated to remain good also in 2024.

In building and technical trade, the market is expected to continue to decline in 2024. The economic cycle will have the biggest impact on new residential building, while the decline in other building construction, renovation building and infrastructure construction is expected to be smaller. The cycle is expected to turn in 2025. Profitability in building and technical trade is estimated to fall short of the 2023 level, but to still remain at a reasonably good level in 2024.

In car trade, new car sales are expected to fall short of the 2023 level. Sales of used cars and services are expected to grow. Profitability in car trade is estimated to still remain good in 2024, but to fall short of the 2023 level.

PRESIDENT AND CEO JORMA RAUHALA:

Kesko’s first quarter of 2024 was in line with expectations, and the result was good considering the challenging market. Our net sales totalled €2,759.5 million, which represented a decrease of 2.4% year-on-year, or 5.5% in comparable terms. Our comparable operating profit amounted to €99.5 million. Kesko’s cost efficiency remained good, and our cash flow from operating activities was strong at €112.6 million. At the end of January, we completed the acquisition of one of Denmark’s leading building and home improvement trade operators Davidsen Koncernen A/S, thus expanding our operations to Denmark and gaining a solid foothold on the Danish building and home improvement trade market.

In the grocery trade division, net sales grew and operating profit was at a good level despite our actions towards favourable price levels. Net sales totalled €1,515.1 million, and the comparable operating profit amounted to €82.5 million. K Group's grocery sales grew by 3.3%. Online grocery sales grew by 19.9%, and accounted for some 4.1% of K Group’s grocery sales. Sales for the foodservice business grew by 0.7%, outpacing the market. Price inflation for groceries slowed down markedly in Finland, and stood at 0.6%. Consumption has become more polarised: on the one hand, price continues to be an important criterion, but on the other, consumers also emphasise quality and convenience. Our customer flows continued to grow thanks to campaigns.

In the building and technical trade division, operating profit declined as expected due to the weak cycle in construction in all our operating countries. Net sales totalled €963.6 million and the comparable operating profit amounted to €6.8 million. Overall, the development in net sales and operating profit was in line with expectations. In addition to the weak construction cycle, sales were impacted by the lower number of delivery days year-on-year, due to the timing of Easter, which had a negative impact of over €3 million on operating profit. The sales and profit of solar power products in particular fell short of the exceptional levels seen in the comparison period as a result of the energy crisis. The integration of Elektroskandia, acquired in Norway a year ago, has proceeded according to plans and will be completed this spring. In Sweden, the conversion of K-Rauta stores into K-Bygg stores is proceeding as planned, and will be completed by the end of the year. In Denmark, Davidsen has been part of Kesko since 1 February 2024. Kesko’s objective is to be among the leading sector operators not only in Finland and Norway, but also in Sweden and Denmark.

In the car trade division, net sales and profit were at a good level in the first quarter. Net sales totalled €286.2 million and the comparable operating profit amounted to €16.4 million. The order book for new cars grew from the end of 2023. Used car sales grew and our market share in used cars continued to strengthen. Development in service sales was also positive, and strong growth continued in our K-Lataus EV charging business.

Kesko’s net sales and operating profit are estimated to remain at a good level in 2024 despite the challenges in the company’s operating environment. We specify our profit guidance for the year, and now estimate that Kesko’s comparable operating profit in 2024 will be €620–700 million. The operating profit guidance adjustment is related to the weaker-than-anticipated outlook for construction in 2024.

FURTHER INFORMATION, AUDIOCONFERENCE AND WEBCAST

Further information is available from Jukka Erlund, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, tel. +358 105 322 113, Hanna Jaakkola, Vice President, Investor Relations, tel. +358 105 323 540, and Eva Kaukinen, Vice President, Group Controller, tel. +358 105 322 338. An English-language audio conference on the results briefing will be held on 25 April 2024 at 9.00 am (EEST). The audio conference login is available on Kesko's website at www.kesko.fi. A Finnish-language webcast of the interim report briefing can be viewed at 11.30 am (EEST) at www.kesko.fi.

Kesko's half-year financial report for January-June 2024 will be published on 23 July 2024. In addition, Kesko Group's sales figures are published monthly. News releases and other company information are available on Kesko's website at www.kesko.fi.

This is a summary of Kesko Corporation’s January-March 2024 Interim report. The complete report is attached to this release and also available at www.kesko.fi/en/investor/